`BJP-ruled municipal bodies responsible for dengue outbreak`

New Delhi: Delhi government on Wednesday blamed BJP- ruled municipal corporations for the outbreak of dengue in the national capital.

"The municipal corporations have failed to discharge their duties, therefore there has been no control over vector-borne diseases and over 2,000 dengue cases were reported in the city," Delhi Health Minister A K Walia said today.

"There were 548 reported cases of dengue during 2011-12 whereas the figure crossed over 2,000 in 2012-13. The city government provided Rs 24 crore in 2011-12 and Rs 48 crore in 2012-13 to take steps to control vector-borne diseases. The municipal corporations have failed to discharge their duties," he said replying to a debate on short notice discussion on dengue deaths, moved by Congress MLA Narendra Nath.

He said the corporations have not concentrated on door-to- door garbage collection despite repeated assurances and funds from the city government.

"The city government asked for the estimates on deployment of breeder checkers during the years, it is a matter of concern that one corporation has not yet submitted the estimate. The anti-larva spray, supposed to be undertaken in the houses, is being done in open. The corporations have only been demanding funds from the government," he said.

Tourists are scared to visit Delhi due to the mosquito borne disease and even Delhiites have been telling their guests not to visit their houses, he claimed.

Walia said functioning of the corporations has not improved, rather it has gone from bad to worst.

"The amenities have become inferior. Only corruption has witnessed an upward trend. It has become three-fold. The corporations were not able to discharge their duties," Walia said.

He suggested the municipal corporations to start issuing building completion certificates and approving building plans in order to generate funds.

The minister also expressed deep concern over the existing building nexus in the corporations. There is a need to make building department more transparent and autonomous, he said.